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Updated: June 26, 2025
And at last he spoke, and the voice was his own, and yet not his own. "Heregar, sorely have I wronged you," he said, "and my rest is troubled therefor. Yet, when I heard what you had done for mine last night, my heart was sore within me, and I repented of all, and would surely have made amends. And now it is too late, and my body lies dishonoured on Parret side while I am here.
Then I knew that the king saw far beyond what was plain to me, and I was very confident in him. And I am sure that I was the only man who had the least doubt from the beginning. Now, after all was planned, Heregar and I rode back to his place, and sent word everywhere that the king was safe, though he commanded us to tell no man where he lay as yet.
Then the abbess turned round again, and her eyes were bright, but the shine was of tears in them, and she spoke briskly. "Now must you get hence, Heregar, my son, and go your way to the king with all haste, so shall you be back the sooner. Give him a scarf to bind that wound, Alswythe; so shall it seem an honour and not a scar."
"Heregar, the outlawed thane I was, and am, except that the sheriff has bid me ride on his business." "Then, master," said he, "give me no reward but to serve you. No man's man am I, either free or unfree, but son of escaped thralls who are dead long ago. Therefore am I outlaw also by all rights, and would fain follow you. And it seems to me that you will need one to mind your steed."
All that they heard was the same tale of dismay from whoever they might meet, and I think that but for a chance we should not have found him until he chose to come forth from his refuge. Heregar the thane had a strange serving man, the same who had ridden with him and me to meet the Danish forces; and this man was a fenman from Sedgemoor, who knew all the paths through the wastes.
Then Heregar and I would go to Chippenham, to spend the time of the Yule feast with King Alfred; and we rode there with Harek and Kolgrim, and were made most welcome. Many friends whom I had made at Exeter were there, and among them, quiet and yet hopeful of release, were the hostages.
"Come in quickly, Heregar, for all men know that hope comes with you." We went in; and it was a poor place enough for a king's lodging, though it was warm and neat.
I said to the man, who had cast himself down on the grass, panting again. "No nor care," he said, glancing at me sharply. "On, and tarry not." "I am an outlaw," I said simply. "Armed?" he said, with a laugh. "Outlaw in truth you will be, an you speed not." "I am Heregar," I said again. "Curse you!" said the man; "go on, and prate not.
"Lightly I let you go last night, Heregar," he said, "setting little store on the matter among all the trouble of the gathering. But when I sent you away and forgot you, surely the saints guided me. For I have heard how you dared to go down to Stert and warn us all, and I saw you stay the flight, even now. Much praise, and more than that, is due to you. Were you in the fight?"
Go your way in peace, and if you will heed my words, take your trouble to some wise man of God, and so be led by his counsel. And, Heregar," and here the bishop's voice was for me alone, "if you need forgiveness, forgive if there is aught by you to be forgiven." Then I knew that the bishop, at least, believed in my innocence, and my hard heart bent before him, though my body would not.
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